Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a forward-thinking team of Advanced Clinical Practitioners within Acute Medicine at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
The post holder will be based across the Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC), delivering high-quality care to patients presenting with undifferentiated acute medical conditions.
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) will practise with a high degree of autonomy and complex clinical decision-making, while demonstrating the four pillars of advanced practice:
Clinical Practice, Leadership and Management, Education, and Research. The role contributes to the development of innovative, patient-centred solutions that enhance patient experience and improve clinical outcomes within the specialty.
The ACP is accountable for independent clinical assessment, examination, diagnosis, and treatment within an agreed scope of practice. In addition, the post holder is responsible for referring patients to appropriate specialties for inpatient or outpatient investigations, and for facilitating safe and timely patient discharge.
This post is intended for fully qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioners. Trainee applicants will only be considered if they are within the final six months of their MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.
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The successful candidate will practise as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner, demonstrating a high degree of autonomy and complex clinical decision-making in the assessment, investigation, diagnosis, planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of care for patients presenting with acute medical conditions.
The post holder will be responsible for the initial assessment and management of patients with undifferentiated or undiagnosed presentations, making independent, professional decisions regarding treatment within their agreed scope of practice.
The role requires drawing upon a broad and in-depth knowledge base to determine and deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions, including prescribing medications where legally authorised, reviewing treatments for effectiveness, and optimising care in line with national guidance, local policies, and best practice.
The ACP will work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to ensure the most appropriate management plans are implemented and to facilitate safe, effective, and timely discharge, including in complex clinical and social situations.
The post holder will work in partnership with patients, families, and carers, supporting individuals to actively manage their health, wellbeing, and ongoing care needs.
Working for our organisation
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the Job Description for further details
The ACP will:
* Participate in clinical governance activities, including audit, case presentations, and clinical meetings aimed at improving quality and safety of care
* Provide clinical leadership, including the coordination and management of multi-professional teams where required
* Contribute to effective discharge planning in complex cases
* Support and manage the GP advice and telephone service
Clinical practice:
* Undertake advanced clinical assessment, formulate differential diagnoses, and plan, implement, and evaluate evidence-based treatment interventions for patients, using expert clinical judgement and autonomous decision-making.
* Manage patients with both differentiated and undifferentiated presentations, including complex and unpredictable situations, by synthesising information from multiple sources to inform safe, effective, and timely diagnoses and management plans.
* Initiate, evaluate, and adjust a range of therapeutic interventions, including prescribing medicines, therapies, lifestyle advice, and other evidence-based treatments, in accordance with national guidance, local policies, and agreed scope of practice.
* Exercise professional judgement in risk assessment and management, particularly in situations of clinical uncertainty, supporting patient safety and escalation where required.
* Practise in accordance with the relevant professional code of conduct, maintaining accountability and working within an agreed scope of practice.
Leaderships and management:
* Provide clinical leadership within Acute Medicine, supporting effective decision-making, escalation, and coordination of care across the multidisciplinary team.
* Contribute to the planning, development, and implementation of policies, pathways, and service improvements impacting patient care.
* Support colleagues in managing clinical risk and maintaining safe practice during periods of high demand or operational pressure.
* Promote a culture of shared values, professionalism, and continuous improvement within the clinical team.
Education:
* Act as a clinical educator and role model, supporting the learning and development of students, junior staff, and colleagues within the multidisciplinary team.
* Share specialist knowledge and expertise through case discussions, teaching sessions, and informal supervision, enhancing clinical capability and confidence within the service.
* Maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) in line with advanced clinical practice requirements.
Research and quality improvement:
* Participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement activity, contributing to improved patient outcomes and service effectiveness.
* Attend and contribute to clinical governance meetings, including case presentations, where outcomes and recommendations support learning and quality improvement.
* Support the implementation of evidence-based practice, contributing to the translation of research findings into clinical care where appropriate.